Rivers Assembly Override Fubara’s Assent, Okays Service Commission Amendment Bill

… Public Procurement Amendment Bill passes first reading

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, yesterday, ignored Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s assent and passed the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill into Law.

THISDAY recalled, that the House passed the Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill on February 15, 2024, and transmitted same to Governor Fubara for assent. 

Not happy that the governor was yet to assent to the Bill after about a month it was cleared at the House, the lawmakers decided to take the law into their hands and passed it into law at the 125th legislative sitting, yesterday.

The Bill which was re-presented by the Majority Leader, Major Jack, and debated by members at the floor of the House, was passed into law by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.

Amaewhule, cited Section 100(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered, which he said empowers the House to override the governor, where he withholds his assent.

In approving the action by the Speaker, 24 members present at the sitting unanimously agreed to override the Governor.

Speaking further, Amaewhule described the amendment to the House of Assembly Service Commission Law as one that merely returned the power donated to the House by the Principal Law in the appointment of the Chairman and members of the Assembly Service Commission.

He stressed that the amendment was in the best interest of staff of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and wondered why the governor refused to give assent to the Bill. 

The Speaker reiterated the House commitment to the continuous strengthening of institutions in the State, adding that “with the passage, the Bill has now assumed the garb of law by virtue of  section 100 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as altered”. 

Earlier, the House gave first reading to the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024, sponsored by Hon. Lemchi Nyeche, Member representing Ikwerre Constituency. 

The Bill seeks to amend the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Law No. 1 of 2021 and other related matters.